Questions Answered by Jon

I need someone to look over an apartment contract.

Water heater burst on 2/20/25 (2:30–3:30 AM), flooding first floor and basement; water leaked through 8–10 basement light fixtures. Filed 311/HPD complaints on 2/20 (10:30 AM) and again on 2/28 for hazardous conditions and failure to fix. On 3/14/25, landlord’s agent threatened legal action for nonpayment right after my complaints — looks like retaliation under RPL §223-b. Mitigation was late: one dehumidifier delivered 3/19 (27 days after flood). Inspection 4/4 — Category 3 water, full tear-out/sanitization needed. HPD hearing moved to 4/28 due to court error. Landlord offered early termination if I vacated by 5/31 (4/9). Mold tested 4/22 — significant contamination, immediate remediation advised. I had already vacated. I escrowed April/May rent due to uninhabitable conditions and pending HPD action. 4/30: I requested immediate termination, full deposit return, $550 mold inspection reimbursement.5/6: Landlord offered lease termination (return keys by 5 PM), $900 off April (incl. $550 reimbursement), no clarity on deposit.5/6: I asked for written confirmation: immediate termination, no further rent, full deposit, waiver of April for habitability violations.5/6: Landlord replied: lease ends when keys returned by 5/7 noon; $2,675 still owed for April (after $900 waiver); deposit returned only after inspection. Key Issues:• Retaliation (RPL §223-b).• Habitability (RPL §235-b).• Security deposit not confirmed.• Rent withheld in good faith; landlord still demanding post-move-out rent. Is their offer worth it? Lease runs to September; I planned to continue withholding.

How can I appeal a default judgment entered against me by my homeowners association (HOA)?

Here’s the full section: “The real property, house, and any outbuildings commonly known as [Address] shall be listed for sale on June 1, 2025. The net proceeds of the sale shall be split evenly between the parties. Pending June 1, 2025, the petitioner shall have sole use and occupancy of the property, and she shall be responsible for the monthly mortgage payments and utilities. If any repairs are needed to the house or its appliances, the parties shall be equally responsible for the cost. If there are any issues related to this property, they shall be resolved in mediation with attorney [Name] and his costs will be split evenly. The respondent must remove his vehicle and the rest of his belongings from the property by November 31, 2023.”

Around November I got in trouble because a girl lied about her age. I did something with her not knowing she was underage. I’m 23. In interrogation I admitted we did something, but I didn’t know she was underage. She texted me after I was released on bond saying “I’m sorry,” and I showed proof she lied. First plea was 7 years; now they changed it to 5 with therapy. Is it okay to take the plea?

I was injured, and based on the injury, the American insurance company paid me weekly benefits until settlement. Later, I was informed that the benefits the insurance company paid me for over four years were not calculated according to the law on payment of benefits.

I’m in a verbally, mentally, and emotionally abusive relationship. My husband is retired and still receives more money a month through his Social Security than I make. When he’s really angry with me, he threatens to leave me and take everything so I have nowhere to go and nothing. This always scares me. We keep our money separate and pay bills proportionally based on our personal income. I have so much debt from college and credit cards and live paycheck to paycheck. For reference, I live in the state of Georgia. All I want is freedom and stability, but I’m scared I’ll have to uproot the aspects of my life and things I’ve worked so hard for and love. I’m even scared he’ll take my cats and my car. He’s caused me to develop a drinking issue and so much stress that I’ve picked up my thumbnails to the point I have to go to a dermatologist to have them removed. Things weren’t so bad when he was working as a truck driver and was home only on weekends. Now he’s home all day, doesn’t do anything around the house, and then whines at me that I don’t do more when I work full-time.

I have 4 misdemeanor theft warrants just issued in TN. I’m about to leave the country for a year for an underwater welding job. I read the statute of limitations for a misdemeanor in TN is one year. Do the charges I’m currently facing also have a statute of limitations?

I’m married in Georgia. We have 4 kids. Wife refused marriage counseling. She was caught at another man’s house and admitted he’s a “friend with benefits.” She took the kids to her parents’ house, who are known alcoholics and violent. What can I do?

I need to speak to an Oregon-licensed attorney regarding employment and labor laws, and hopefully have one represent me. I just do not have the legal background to do this myself. I don’t know what to do—I need some real assistance here.